Cwmtillery Pit Wheel Monument.

May 2004 I have just been reading the local paper and found a article on the Pit Wheel Monument titled "History Turns a Circle". It describes the restroation of the pit wheel and praise all concerned. Well just to let you know why this page is still available and has not been updated since December 2003. The plaque in memory of “William Williams” which is attached to the Pit Wheel monument, is still illegible and still not been completed as promised. So I decided to write the following email in responce. I was extremely interested in your article "History Turns a Circle" which describes the restoration of the above pit wheels. I hope you will take the time and look at the following web address in which you will see I have been in the forefront of this campaign since July 2003. As the restoration moved forward I updated the site for those interested viewers , and gave praise where and when required (www./cwmtillerycom/news/pitwheels.htm). The restoration was and still is a first class job, but not completely finished and that is why this topic remain on the Cwmtillery Website Front page. I am writing this email is to point out that while the restoration of the wheel were complete the restoration of the Memorial Plaque is NOT. The plaque is in memory of “William Williams” and is attached to the Pit Wheel monument, it is illegible and still not been completed as promised. I have a email from one of the Cwmtillery ward members promising its restoration as part of the Pit Wheel program, but it still has not been completed. A section of the email (September 2003) I have and I quote. "Thanks for your e mail - it is not quite finished yet. It is due for another coat next week and the stones will be done. If the plaque is unrepairable then both XXXXXX and XXXXXX have offered to pay for a new one from our ha'penny rate (as was).

December 2003 December was a good month for the restoration of the monument, all the stone pillars have been capped with slabs and the whole area cleared of weeds. Not sure who completed the work, (see photos) but I would like to personally thank them for a job well done. The plaque is still in need of renovation work, but I'm sure this will be completed as soon as the resources are available.

19th of September 2003 Been a bit confused this week as a few people informed me the restoration of the monument was complete? I hope not. As far as I know ( I havn't received any updates, but perhaps there is non to have as yet), the wheels and mountings have had several coats of paint. This work being carried out by the youths training at the Alan Davies Centre, Tafarnabach. Well Done and many thanks from the Cwmtilley Webmaster I don't know what is happening with the stone work. Other stones have also removed, but I see nothing in the way restoration work being carried out in this area. The weeds thrive as weeds do and add the feeling of a tomb raider film trying to find the entrance to a long loss mine! On a good note, I have been promised that if the "The memorial Plaque" cannot be restored, it will be replaced. I haven't heard of anyone working at the site, for over a week, but will update this page when I have further info.

The week on the 11th of August 2003 asked Cheryl Morris correspondent for Gwent Gazette to write a section in hear column for me, but again no contact was made from the BGCC. No surprise.. 19th August 2003 and just walked passed the Pit Wheel Monument, I decided to send emails to each of the three Cwmtillery Wards. Bingo! a result the same day in the form of a reply email. We have not found out why no one responded to my first emails but I now have a email link with one of the Cwmtillery Wards. I have been told "Apparently the Pit Wheel issue has been raised before and I am under the impression a colleagues should/could be dealing with the issue". I will hopefully have some more news for you soon and, would like to thank the Cwmtillery Ward for such a prompt response to my email.

Dear Sir/Madam, On the 27th July 2003 I sent you an email highting the poor condition of the Pit Wheel Monument at East Side Cwmtillery. At a meeting I attended last week I was ask to send a follow up letter to establish if any work "would" be carried out. Incase my email did not arrive with you, I have added the email and attached the photos showing the poor condition of this historical area. Many thanks for your time and hope to hear from you shortly Les www.cwmtillery.com

My Emails sent to the Blaenau Gwent Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:26 PM Subject: Pit Wheel Cwmtillery Dear Sir/Madam I would like to bring to your attention the poor condition of the Pit Wheel Monument located at East Side Cwmtillery. The wheels were erected in 1987 as a monument to the Cwmtillery Colliery and 140 years of coal industry in the valley. Its location is such that it is on view to all that travel throughout the valley, whether by road or on foot. With the playing field nearby, the Pit Wheel monument is in the middle of most events. Players, Spectators, Youth Club events and our new children’s play park, all attract people of all ages to the area. I feel the Monument, in it present state, does not portray the purpose it was erected for and hope you are able to do something to rectify this? I'm sure that the weather over the years has played a large part in the deterioration of the sites condition but would ask if someone could possibly survey the area and report their findings to you for further consideration. I have attached 3 photos highlighting the condition of the area:- (1) The paintwork on the Pit Wheels is flaking in most places and in others the paint is non-existent. (2) Some of the stone work in the pillars, which supports the wheels, has become dislodged and missing. I did not check on the condition of the remaining mortar? (3) The Plaque in memory of “William Williams” is close to illegible. (4) The site itself is overgrown with weeds and grass. I thank you for taking the time to read this email and look forward to your reply. Les Harber www.cwmtillery.com

The Pit Wheel Monument has suffered over the years, loose and missing stone work, Overgrown with Weeds, Poor Paintwork and a Illegible memorial Plaque. So I decided to contact Blaenau Gwent Council, hopefully to get the area restored to its former condition, which one would expect of such an important Monument After two emails (see below) I have received NO communication from them at all (not even an acknowledgement).